…Urges IGP to summon CoS for questioning regarding inflammatory statement
…Gov. Adeleke is a man of peace, stop misinterpretation — Spokesperson
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State, a war of words has erupted between the State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Governor Ademola Adeleke, over allegations of an inciting statement.
The APC Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, accused the governor of making inflammatory remarks that could provoke violence, while Governor Adeleke has strongly denied the accusations, calling them politically motivated. This exchange has sparked tension as the state prepares for what is expected to be a highly contested election.
The National Secretary expressed concern over recent remarks by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye, which he described as reckless and threatening to opposition members ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election.
He warned that such rhetoric could escalate tensions and spark unnecessary violence.
“Osun people are known for their peaceful disposition and will not succumb to intimidation from a government that has consistently failed to deliver on its promises,” Senator Basiru remarked.
“The intimidating posture of this administration signals a clear fear of electoral judgment, as their incompetence and lackluster performance remain evident to all.”
The statement criticised the PDP-led administration for “neglecting governance in favor of political strong-arming,” adding that in over two years, “the government has failed to implement meaningful youth empowerment programs or commence the long-anticipated teachers’ recruitment exercise, despite public outcry over staff shortages in public schools.”
Senator Basiru warned that no political party holds a monopoly on violence and reminded the current administration that -Osun’s citizens would not tolerate a repeat of the pre-election violence that marred the 2022 and 2023 electoral periods.
He called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to urgently summon Mr. Akinleye for questioning regarding the alleged inflammatory statement that “citizens must either vote for Governor Adeleke or leave the state ahead of the 2026 elections.”
“The primary duty of any responsible government is to safeguard the lives and property of its citizens, not instill fear or subject them to intimidation. Osun people will have their say in 2026 and make it abundantly clear that they can distinguish between sincerity and deception,” he added.
Responding, Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson for Governor Ademola Adeleke, has accused Basiru of distorting a statement made by the Governor’s Chief of Staff.
Rasheed denied that the Governor or his Chief of Staff had threatened violence, emphasising that there was no reason for such actions given the widespread support for the current administration in Osun State.
He further clarified that Governor Adeleke is a ‘man of peace,’ noting that he did not resort to violence even after being ‘electorally robbed’ in 2018. Rasheed described the Chief of Staff as a ‘peace-loving political strategist.’
He also accused Basiru, the APC Secretary, of misinterpreting the Chief of Staff’s remarks, which he argued were simply a call for the people of Osun to support good governance and safeguard their votes from electoral fraud in the upcoming 2026 elections.